LWD

After being off of work for almost a week, lets just say that this Monday was even tougher than usual! I could barely drag myself out of bed, let alone put two brain cells together to form an outfit. Thank goodness I hand't worn this dress yet-- it was perfect to throw on and felt as cozy as pajamas. While the LBD may be forever classic, the LWD has been my go to all summer long!

Dress: Old Navy {similar here too}

Earrings: Baublebar {similar}

Shoes: Zara

I Spy Eyelet

Top: J. Crew {try the almost identical Factory one}

// Skirt: Juicy Couture {similar here and here, but my dream one is Tibi, of course!}

Ring: H&M // Bracelets: J. Crew, Vintage

Earrings: Anthropologie // Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc'

Shoes: Converse // Bag: Old Navy

Fancy Friday

{Liz of Late Afternoon}

Are you tired Friday? Because you've been running through my  mind all week. I think I somehow manage to get cheezier every week, but seriously, how great does every Friday feel? Even the worst Friday is still better than the best Monday.

I love every bit of this-- hair, sunglasses, all white and lace...even the shopping bag compliments the whole outfit. I love the look of all white any time of the year, but the lace makes it seem perfect for spring. Sadly, until I am no longer a complete klutz, the possibility of my wearing an outfit like this is slim to none. Why don't they make stain resistant {cute!} clothes for adults??

This week has had some major ups and downs, but looking forward to some quality time with friends and family...and my bed of course :)

Have a great weekend!

Fancy Friday

{Gaia Repossi}

White in cold weather isn't just reserved for bunnies, brides, and evil Queens from Narnia. This is a perfect example of just how epically dreamy it can be. It goes without saying (though I will anyway) that I have an obsession with feathered clothing, so being wrapped up in a cloud of feathers would be heaven. Practical? No, but what fun things are??

Lately there doesn't seem to be anything practical that appeals to me, its all exotic trips, boots that cost more than my rent and purses that would cost as much as a car. Hopefully its a phase, because I never do remember to buy a lottery ticket. 

So other than daydreaming there isn't much planned for the weekend. Rainy days are meant for relaxing right? Whether you're going out on the town or having a pajama party like me...

Have a great weekend!

Business Casual

I had a work event this week where the dress code was 'Business Casual/Casual' and I was completely baffled. As I've mentioned, I can be a little all or nothing (and yes, black and white) in my thinking. I'm can do casual and I can do business but something in between? So instead of actually figuring it out, I took out my trusty faux leather circle skirt.

I love this skirt. Not only is it from H&M, but I got it at Mustard Seed. For $8. I wear it more than designer skirts I thought I needed that now just gather dust. Funny how sometimes the items you least expect to become favorites do...

Shirt: Generra // Top: J. Crew {similar}// Skirt: H&M {try this or this}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop' // Ring: H&M // Cuff: Similar {one day it'll be Hermes!}

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman {similar here and here}

Bags: Valentino {HA I wish! Its Forever21}, Marc Jacobs 'Stam'

One day, just like the CDC Hermes cuff, a Valentino Rockstud will be mine!

Fancy Friday

{image}

Fancy dresses make me happy. Paris makes me happy. A fancy dress in Paris? Well that's pretty much living the dream. I love the dreaminess of the all white, with the subtle floral pattern peeping through. With fall shockingly on the way, I'm getting my fill of fluffy confections like this right now!

It may not be the time of year for spring cleaning, but I really feel the need for a clean slate lately. Mostly physically, with a tidier and more updated apartment, but I think the old head could stand for some dusting off too. 

Ok ok, enough with the semi-introspective musings...

Have a great weekend!

Just One of the Boys

I have a love hate relationship with button-downs. For the last year, the majority of mine had been stuck languishing away in the back of my closet (except for my Equipment blouses which are always and forever perfect.) They just felt too preppy, too stuffy, too 'done.' Then all of a sudden I did my usual 180 and starting throwing them over everything (just look at yesterday's post!) Instant-waist just by tying them, its like closet magic. That being said, I'll probably banish them again by next year, but they always come back around.

I've been eyeing this top for a while but considering I already have 3 (or is it 4?) short-sleeve buttons downs I held back. Then of course the little devil on my shoulder (whispering about an extra 30% of the sale price) reminded me that I don't have a striped one. Plus, it fits much better than the shirts I used to steal from my Dad!

Shirt: J. Crew // Skirt: Zara {similar here and here}

Necklace: Vintage

Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed & Blue' // Bracelets: Oia Jules, J. Crew

Sandals: Vince Camuto // Toenail Polish: Essie 'Lilacism'

Gingham Gal

While I absolutely adore the crispness of an all white suit, I am also a complete klutz. The two do not usually mix well, so I tend to avoid wearing more than one item of white clothing at a time (my life is so hard right??) 

So really, you could say that with this outfit I am living on the edge and laughing in the face of danger. No, I am not being dramatic at all. This is truly momentous, I mean, what next? Will I don a pair of overalls?! Ok that will never happen without a gun to my head (maybe not even then), but you get the idea.

As if an all white suit doesn't just scream summer already, I threw in my neon gingham button down. Gingham just feels so breezy and carefree...don't ask me why. Apparently I like tying my button downs too, perhaps I'm a little bit country?

Jacket: James Perse {similar} // Shirt: J. Crew {almost identical here} // Skirt: Zara {this is super cute}

Necklace: Vintage from my Mom {similar}

Bracelets: J. Crew // HRH Collection

Fancy Friday

{image}

Its that time guys; when all you want to do is sip a cold drink, stake out a seat on a patio, and hope you'll find someone to fan you with palm leaves. I should be doing at least one of those things tonight, though fingers crossed I hit the jackpot with all three.

Its not earth shattering to say that when the temperatures go up my desire to wear breezy dresses increases exponentially, but this one is especially heatwave perfection  Low back? Check. Flowy? Check. White? Yep, that too. I'll take one please, and throw in that view while you're at it.

Have a great weekend!

Anchors Away

This skirt was an amazing find at Mustard Seed a few weeks ago (if you live in the DC area and haven't been there, what are you waiting for????) I've been going there for over 10 (um maybe even 15?) years and I have found everything from scarves to vintage Chloe (seriously.) 

Anytime I wear chunky stripes like this, especially in blue and white, I can't help but feel like I should be heading out to a yacht for a quick getaway...instead of the metro for work. Add in my usual assortment of chunky chains and I'm a regular sailor in the city.

Blazer: Kulson {similar here and here} // Blouse: Piazza Sempione {Sleeveless option here}
// Skirt: Anne M. Cramer {or try this J. Crew one} // Necklace: Vintage from Mom {similar here}

Bracelets: J. Crew Golden Gears // DIY

Heels: Pour La Victoire

Fancy Friday

{Valentino}

Oh hey there Friday. You are looking mighty fine today. Seriously, I've been thinking about you all week long and just can't get you out of my head {cue Kylie Minogue.}

Yes, weekends are always great, but I'm heading out of town--ok Charlottesville but still-- to a girlfriends wedding and couldn't be more excited! I'm taking today off {um again} to get ready and relax since I know it's going to be an epic party.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

Fancy Friday

{image}

Its here. For real. Its actually Friday! Ok, my weekend started yesterday afternoon but I am still jumping for joy (no really, I did this morning) that the weekend is here. I'm going to the Kreeger Museum for the first time ever (yes, I've lived in DC my whole life...) and then off to get my hair done. Pretty much a perfect day off.

The only thing missing is this dress.

I hope your day flies by and your weekend is filled with fun (or sleep...or both!)

Checkmate

I've always loved the mod look, and when I saw Marc Jacobs take on it for Louis Vuitton's Spring 2013 campaign I flipped. Beyond perfection! Also, beyond my wildest dreams of ever affording it, so when I spotted this skirt on Asos for less than the cost of a night out, I had to make it mine.

Sweater Jacket: J. Crew {similar} // Top: Zara // Skirt: Asos {sold out but try the mini version!} 

// Belt: Linea Pelle {similar}

Earrings: H&M // Bracelet: J. Crew Factory

Heels: Steve Madden {try these or these}

I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect nude flats, so stay tuned...

Pearls and Twirls

While this may not be my twirliest skirt (yes, I do rank clothes by their twirliness), its over 60 and I have banished my tights, so I'll be twirling and prancing around the city until fall. Since I still do have to work though, pearls at least bring me a little back down to earth and remind me of the need to still posses a degree of responsibility. 

Blazer: Marc by Marc Jacobs {similar} // Blouse: Piazza Sempione {try this sleeveless one} // 

Skirt: Zara {love this Milly one} // 

Earrings: Betsey Johnson  {similar} // Watch: Michael Kors Large Runway

Nail Polish: Essie "In the Cab-Ana"

Belt: D&G // Bracelet: J. Crew {similar here and here}

Rebel Rebel

No, I haven't run off an joined a motorcycle gang, but for some people, wearing white before Labor Day is considered rebellious and rule-breaking. I'm of course one to wear a feather skirt in the daytime, so obviously am not too concerned with fashion 'rules.' Still, it feels fun to pretend for a minute that I am actually being a little bit of a rule-breaker.

\

Sweater: J. Crew Tippi // Skirt: Zara {similar here and here} // Nail Polish: Essie "Madison Ave-Hue"

Necklace: J. Crew {old but so many great current ones like this and this}

Bracelet: Vintage

Jacket: Guess // Ballet Flats: Pour La Victoire {similar here and here}

I Want What She's Wearing

{Rachel Zoe}

I think its safe to say that we threw away that antiquated "no white after Labor Day" rule ages ago. If there were any doubt left that white doesn't work when the temperatures drop, Rachel Zoe erases all signs of it with this look.

Not only is the all white incredibly crisp and fresh, the minimalist take on it ups the fashion ante way more than stacks of accessories would. Its a perfect palate cleanser from the heaviness of the season.

While she is of course wearing head to toe Rachel Zoe, where is the fun in that? No matter how much I love a designer, its very rare that I like to wear them head to toe.

You can mix and match them any way you choose, and they range in price from "I can't believe its less than a night out" to "Wow I have to sell my car."

Burberry long sleeve cotton shirt // 10 Crosby Derek Lam tie neck blouse // Aquilano.Rimondi bow blouse  / Filles A Papa pleated skirt // Lanvin skirt // Splendid Modal Maxi Skirt

Givenchy Medium Clutch  / Marc Jacobs shoulder bag / Loeffler Randall Lock Clutch/ Mango quilted handbag

This Linea Pelle Equestrian belt is almost identical to Rachel's and pulls the whole look together